The difference in button placement between men’s and women’s shirts has its roots in historical conventions rather than practical modern design. In many garments for women, buttons are placed on the left side because, historically, wealthy women were often dressed by right‑handed maids. Placing buttons on the left made it easier for a maid standing across from the wearer to fasten them. Meanwhile, men’s shirts button on the right side, partly due to traditions linked to weaponry: a right‑handed man carrying a sword or other weapon on his left side would have easier access if his coat or shirt buttoned from right to left.

Other popular theories abound. One suggests that women, often holding babies in their left arms, would benefit from buttons on the left so their free right hand could do the unbuttoning. Another attributes the difference to horseback‑riding habits: women riding sidesaddle may have had garments tailored to reduce airflow under the left button flap.  Altogether, these historic practices, now largely obsolete, became codified into fashion norms. Despite the original reasons no longer applying, the tradition has remained as a distinguishing stylistic convention.

In modern times, though the practical utility is gone, the convention persists simply as a legacy of class, gender and fashion history: a subtle reminder of how social norms from centuries past still influence everyday clothing. Designers today may challenge or ignore this convention, yet many ready‑made garments still reflect the tradition.